Episode 2: Push Car to Pushkar?

After waking up in The Pink City and packing our backpacks into our compact taxi, the car wouldn't start. Yuganesh, our driver, then proceeded to perform an operation that would be repeated multiple times daily throughout the trip. Open hood, manically shake fuel pump until car rocks, close hood, turn key, turn key again, mutter curses under breath, turn key again and punch gas. Thankfully it worked like a charm, saving us from hitching a ride on a passing camel.


Most camels actually were heading in our direction for the annual Pushkar Camel Fair. Unfortunately we were a week early and missed out on all the fun of seeing dromedaries traded and Jen possibly having a severe allergic reaction to those humped horses. There's always next year...


We did get to see Hindus pilgrims at the only Brahma Temple in India looking for good luck by giving some flowers and food to the idol, ringing a bell, banging a drum, bowing to a shrine, and, of course, making a nice donation.


A pilgrim bathes in the "holy water" at one of the many ghats around the lake.

We then headed to Jodhpur - THE BLUE CITY.

Along with signifying the house of a Brahmin (of the caste of learned men), blue paint is thought to keep homes cooler and even repel mosquitoes.

The forboding Meherangarh (The Majestic Fort) was probably our most favorite tourist experience. One word - AUDIOGUIDES. Simply type the number and hear the pre-recorded history for each display. "I really love technology..."

Spikes on the 7th and final gate are less for aesthetic toughness and more for poking elephants in the eyes when they try to ram it. Ouch.


Kids, DON'T SMOKE OPIUM or else you may grow erratic facial hair like this poor man.



Rajasthan is famous for miniature paintings depicting scenes from history, mythology and, seen above, a little "Foggy Mountain Breakdown."

This flutist filled the ancient astrologists' courtyard with enchanting music.

A 4 year old boy with his father singing for the crowds of wooed tourists like us.

Two worlds apart. The Umaid Bhawan Palace with over 350 bedrooms looms behind the shanties. The palace was actually built in 1929 as a way to create jobs for over 3000 workers during a drought.

One guard picks out the headlines . . .

. . . as another guard picks out something else.

The dizzying view from the bottom of Meharangarh.

The dizzying view from the top of our heads.

And finally, Jen counts sheep and falls asleep. Will she wake up in time to see the Staypuff tractor careening towards the taxi? Do you even care? Tune in to the next somewhat exciting Episode 3: Sand in My Desert Saddle. Until then, I hope all is well with your adventuring too.

Jimmy